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What kind of equipment was the average US solider using during the Seminole Wars?
Question
#81038. Asked by monkey5000. (May 26 07 6:02 PM)
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star_gazer

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Something to the effect of:
For equipment, the men would have had a metal-banded wooden canteen painted Prussian blue and decorated with white letters “U.S.” and the regimental number and company letter. These canteens were carried on a sling of red-brown or “russet” leather. A white cotton haversack with three buttons was used to carry rations, and a black painted cloth knapsack was used to carry the blanket and greatcoat. This pack was quite likely the pattern of 1825 knapsack that would see service until the end of the Mexican War. Each knapsack was marked with the regimental number. A set of Pattern of 1828 leather cross-belts, an 1808 cartridge box and a pick/brush set completed the ensemble. Debate exists today among historians as to which belt plate was worn at the time. The round 1826 white metal plate was issued to all men by 1832, however the poor quality of the plates and other factors combined to continue the use of the oval 1819 brass “U.S.” belt plate. Undoubtedly the men used a mix of both plates. The men were armed with the 1816 United States musket, either from the Springfield or Harper’s Ferry arsenal. These smoothbore, .69 caliber flintlock muskets fitted an 18” steel socket bayonet and a leather sling. Whether or not musket slings were brown or white is another debate among historians. The current belief is that they were “russet” or red-brown. Many of these equipment items are never discussed in writing during the conflict, however their presence in regulations almost guarantees their presence in the field.
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